Thursday, July 24, 2008

Back to school "nesting"




Every year about this time, I start to get in nesting mode. Perry only has a week left until he goes back to school and the kids are down to 3 weeks. These summer breaks seem to by go quicker and quicker. It's hard to believe we're coming to the end. I'm so thankful my kids get to stay home with their dad all summer. How many kids get that experience? And even though they've all complained a bit at times, I think these are memories that will stay with them throughout their lives.

But, in a few short weeks, our lives will be hectic again. Perry will be back to teaching and heavily involved with high school sports. I start my yearly cycle as a sports widow. Football is the worst season since they have Saturday games. The only day I can count on him being home in the fall is Sunday. He'll leave home before the kids get up and get home hopefully before they are in bed for the night. It's a long, draining season for the family.

So, in preparation of that season, I usually start getting things ready so we are as organized as possible for the coming year. I'm decluttering closets, drawers, homework areas, the works. Lots of things going in the trash or to goodwill or freecycled. I try to get my meal planning on track so I have simple and healthy meal options at the ready (and I'm organized enough to have the ingredients on hand).

On a positive note, I was able to get our flexible summer schedule extended into the school year. It'll mean slightly longer days but only 4 day workweeks. I'm truly hoping this will help with some of my "sports widow" stress. I'm looking forward to using that extra day to get errands and chores done so we can better enjoy our weekends. I'm also looking forward to being able to volunteer a bit more often in the kids' classrooms on those extra days.

I'd love to hear your organization tips for back to school!

5 comments:

2 China 4 Addison said...

I'm definitely with you on the "nesting". We had TONS of garbage out on the curb this morning! My goal is to simplify, and sometime in the long term future, to downsize!!
Sorry I don't have any more suggestions for you, but sounds like you are doing great!

Super Mommy said...

Tips on organizing? I suggest you write to Martha Stewart!! LOL! I will come back to see what others post!

My girls go back to school on the 18th - I am wondering where the summer went too. Haven't started nesting yet - we are moving in September, I imagine I will be purging lots then!

Tammie said...

We've already started getting things together down here. School starts in 24 days. Wanna know how many hours & seconds? ;-)

Last weekend, David & I took Erin to buy her school uniforms. Do you have any idea how hard it is to not laugh as the size 4 pants fall down your daughter's non-existent tush!?

Anyway, we've gone through her toys & clothing to decide what will be tossed, donated, given away or sold. I can't get supplies yet since her new school will be a charter school for the first time. The teachers don't come back till the 11th & won't get their lists out till the 15th.

Karen said...

...doesn't it feel great to go through and re-organize and purge? It always makes me feel better...thanks for the inspiration to "go forth and declutter"!

Karen

Vivian M said...

I wish I had tips. Kerri starts junior kinder, so this is all new to us.
I think it is a great idea to organize ahead of time, so when the schedules start getting hectic you already have a system in place.
One tip that worked for me when Kerri attended preschool: I had a snack cupboard, and healthy snacks were separated into little snack plastic bags so they were ready to be thrown into her backpack or she could grab one after class. Just a thought!